Southern California -- this just in

Mayoral election: Kevin James would 'love' new donation from billionaire

February 23, 2013 | 1:33
pm

Mayoral candidate Kevin James said Saturday that he would be “thrilled” if the Texas billionaire who has bankrolled a Super PAC supporting his bid would donate more money in the closing days of the race.

“If Harold Simmons wants to drop another million, it can certainly come quickly but I have no idea whether it’s in the bank or not, but I would love to hear about it,” James said while nibbling on bacon at the Original Pantry Café in downtown Los Angeles.

“With the ad that’s produced, if Harold Simmons sees just how close we are to making this runoff [and donates], it can be I’m sure quickly put on television and radio, and I’d be thrilled to see that,” he said.

Simmons has donated $600,000 to Better Way L.A., an independent committee that is backing James’ bid. Candidates and independent committees cannot legally coordinate, but they frequently use the media to send signals.

James doesn’t have the money to go on air, but Better Way L.A. has been airing television ads promoting James’ candidacy for more than a week that have boosted his standing in the race.

The committee on Friday reported dismal fund-raising numbers in city disclosure documents, raising only $9,700 during the last reporting period and $64,000 cash on hand during the final days before the March 5 primary. It takes at least a couple hundred thousand dollars to air a decent number of ads in Los Angeles for a week., so without a new infusion of cash, the ads will likely stop when James needs them the most.